In This Feature

6 Sites for Heart Health

The following medical Web sites are your key to cardiovascular confidence. With them, you’ll learn how the heart and circulatory system work, types of heart and vascular diseases, diagnosis and treatment options, and preventative techniques.

For a comprehensive explanation of how organs within the heart and circulatory system operate in conjunction with one another, watch a video on the Mayo Clinic’s Web site. If you didn’t catch all of the details, not to worry; the page also includes a transcript.

Heart disease has many forms, causes and symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a general look at cardiovascular issues including types of heart disease, facts and statistics related to cardiovascular health, risk factors and signs and symptoms of the disease.

Vascular diseases include all disorders of the circulatory system, many of which can affect the heart. To learn more, visit the Cleveland Clinic Web site, which explains different types of vascular issues through a series of articles and actual patient-doctor Q & As.

You may already know you have heart disease, or perhaps you’re working toward prevention. In either case, diagnostic testing is an effective way of determining your overall cardiovascular health. The Texas Heart Institute lists the different types of tests available and explains what to expect when your doctor begins an examination of your heart and circulatory system.

Video Reference

This video provides an overview of Coronary Artery Disease (the most common form of heart disease), explaining what it is, what risk factors are associated with it and how you can treat it.

Treatments vary widely depending on the severity, progression and type of cardiovascular issue. The BBC offers a look at the different types of medication, surgery and transplants available to heart and circulatory system patients, explaining how each treatment targets cardiovascular disease as well as the ultimate objectives of various drugs and procedures.

While many people are genetically predisposed to heart disease, healthy habits can make a big difference in prevention and recovery. If you’ve had heart disease in the past or are simply hoping to preempt any cardiovascular issues, taking steps towards overall well-being is essential. The American Heart Association details some of the best ways to lower the risk of heart disease, and provides interactive tools to help you get started.